How to make a maraca

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Materials:

one balloon

1/4 cup of rice or beans

one newspaper

1 1/2 cups of flour

2 cups of water

paint/ paint brush

one dowel rod

1 thumbtack and masking tape

Directions:

1. Blow up the balloon and tie the end in a knot.

2. Mix the flour and water together until it makes a thick liquid.

3. Cut newspaper into one inch by three inch strips.

4. Dip the strips in the flour paste and apply to the balloon.  Make sure not to use too much paste.  You want to cover the entire balloon with three layers of paper.  Then let it dry (overnight is best).

5. While holding on to the end of the balloon, pop it.  You want to be able to pull the balloon out from the newspaper shell.   Then fill the shell with the beans.

6. Place the dowel rod inside the bottom opening of the shell.  You should make sure the rod hits the top of the maraca (shell).  At this point you should use the tack to secure the rod in place at the top of the maraca. You may need your parents help for this. Push the tack through the top of the maraca and into the top of the dowel rod.

7. Use masking tape to secure the bottom of the rod to the bottom of the maraca.

8. Paint your maraca.